Terwijl Alva vrijt met de hoer van Babylon raakt de economie van het land in verval / Margaretha van Parma, Granvelle en de paus steunen Alva's missie, ca. 1567-1572 1572

This 1572 anonymous engraving depicts the Duke of Alva, a Spanish general who was appointed governor of the Netherlands by King Philip II. The artwork uses satire and allegory to criticize Alva's rule and its impact on the Dutch economy. The imagery of Alva "sleeping with the harlot of Babylon" represents his perceived corruption and greed, while the "economic decline" is visualized through a depiction of a collapsed merchant. The engraving serves as a propaganda piece, highlighting the resistance towards Alva's governance. It was likely produced for a Dutch audience, expressing their resentment towards Spanish influence and the economic hardship experienced during Alva's rule. The composition uses a grid-like format, splitting the scene into two separate panels, each containing a distinct narrative and visual element. This artwork offers insight into the political and social tensions of 16th-century Europe, particularly in the context of the Dutch Revolt.